What the Free Search Covers
The IP India Public Search gives you access to the complete official Indian trademark register — all 7+ million trademark applications and registrations filed with IP India since the Trade Marks Act came into force.
It includes:
- All registered trademarks currently in force
- All pending applications — filed but not yet registered
- All objected applications currently under examination
- All abandoned, refused, and removed marks (historical records)
It does NOT include:
- Unregistered marks used commercially without filing (these may have common-law rights)
- International registrations that have not designated India (Madrid Protocol registrations that excluded India)
- Brand names only protected by company registration (not trademark)
Run a Complete Free Search — Full Procedure
1
Visit ipindiaonline.gov.in — click Trade Marks → Public Search. No login required.
2
Wordmark Search — Exact Name: Type your brand name exactly. Click Search. Record all results with Registered or Accepted status.
3
Wordmark Search — Partial: Type the key word in your brand name (e.g., "NOVA" if your name is "NOVA FOODS") to find all similar brands.
4
Phonetic Search: Change search type to Phonetic. Type your name. This finds sounds-alike conflicts — the step most people skip but examiners always check.
5
Search in your primary class AND related classes: Change the class dropdown and repeat. Cross-class conflicts are real — don't search only one class.
6
Record your findings: Screenshot any results. If clear: proceed to filing. If conflicts: evaluate whether to modify name or consult attorney.
Interpreting Your Search Results
| What You Find | What It Means | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| No results at all | Name not found in database for this class | Good sign — but also run phonetic search |
| Identical mark, same class, Registered | Direct conflict — name taken | Choose different name or modify significantly |
| Identical mark, different class | May coexist — depends on similarity of goods/services | Attorney review recommended |
| Similar mark, same class | Potential Section 11 objection risk | Phonetic and visual comparison — attorney review |
| Abandoned/Refused identical mark | Mark no longer protected but understand why | Research why it was refused — usually safe to proceed |
Going Beyond the Free Search
For high-stakes brand launches, the free search is a starting point — not a finish line. A professional trademark clearance report additionally covers:
- Comprehensive phonetic screening across English, Hindi, and regional languages
- Multi-class screening across all potentially relevant classes (not just yours)
- Common-law marks — brands in commercial use without registration
- Company name database — MCA registered company names that might assert rights
- Domain registration check — .com, .in, .co.in availability
- Attorney opinion on likelihood of registration success
Cost: ₹1,500–₹5,000. Worthwhile before any significant brand investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — the IP India Public Search is fully accessible without any account, login, or registration. It is completely free and public.
No — a clean search result does not constitute legal advice or guarantee trademark registration. It is a preliminary check only. Only a formal trademark registration gives you legal rights.
The IP India database is updated regularly. New applications typically appear within a few days. Very recent filings from the last 48 hours may not yet be reflected.
Yes — you can search for trademarks in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other Indian scripts. The IP India portal supports Unicode search across all languages. Enter the brand name in the relevant script.
Good news — it means no exact match exists in the database for that class. But still run a phonetic search, check related classes, and consider whether similar-sounding names exist. A clean exact-match search is a positive sign, not an absolute clearance.
Get Expert Trademark Help
Our specialists handle search, filing, objection replies, and follow-up. Fixed pricing, no surprises.